Valerie Davidson

Confidential Counselling and Psychotherapy in Bath, Somerset

Welcome. I am based in Bath and provide counselling, psychotherapy and supervision in private practice and health centres. My referrals come from self-referrals, from the NHS, homoeopaths, complementary therapists, corporate health care, insurance companies, employee counselling schemes and other agencies.

Counselling and psychotherapy enable people to cope better with problems and to live in a more satisfying and resourceful way. I will respect your values and choices, providing you with support, a safe place for expression of feelings, exploration of thoughts, and reflection. Clarifying your choices can be empowering and facilitates clear decision making. Formulating your goals and realising achievement can enable you to move forward.

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Counselling and therapy can help to resolve upset feelings and unresolved grief, find better ways of coping and problem-solving, work through difficult life stages and come to terms with loss and change. The process can increase self-awareness and self-confidence, helping people to function better with renewed energy and zest for life. They are enabled to look forward to the future again, making plans and carrying them through.

Problems helped include:

Depression

Anxiety or stress

Bereavement

Loss and change

Work or study problems

Apathy, constant tiredness

Loneliness and social anxiety

Low self-esteem

Confusion and indecision

Relationship problems

Major life-events, e.g. redundancy, menopause, ill-health disability

Trauma and Adjustment Disorders

Problems with roots in the past, abuse

Phobias

Health-related issues

What is the different between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Counselling addresses problems which have arisen more recently as a rule and is quite focused and time-limited. Psychotherapy addresses long-term or recurrent problems with roots in the past, however they often overlap.

My qualifications

Diploma in Person Centred Counselling

Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling

Certificate in Qualified Social Work

Diploma in Applied Social Studies

Certificate in Supervision

Professional Bodies

Experience

Over 25 years’ counselling/psychotherapy and supervision experience in the UK and France in a variety of settings with adults and children, including NHS, Social Services, Education, the Voluntary Sector, and Private Practice.

Code of Ethics and Practice

As a Member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) I am bound by its Code of Ethics and Practice and subject to its Complaints Procedure. I am committed to continuous professional development and regular consultative supervision.

Appointments

The first appointment is an opportunity to clarify what you hope to gain from counselling and I will make a thorough assessment, explain how I work, what I can offer and you can ask me any questions.

If we decide to go ahead and work together, we make an agreement to include method, duration, fees and confidentiality. If not, I will advise you where to find appropriate help elsewhere.

The work may be open-ended or time-limited according to individual need. Changes can be made following review at any time subsequently, with your agreement. Sometimes a single session can be sufficiently helpful to clarify a situation beneficially. Typically 6-12 sessions are usual for counselling. For psychotherapy it is open-ended and can continue longer, up to a year or more according to individual needs.

Appointments last for one hour.

For more information, a confidential initial telephone chat, or to arrange an appointment, telephone me on the number below. If I am not available please leave a message and I will call you back.

Fees

Fees are £45 per hour-long session for private individuals (some concessions available on request). Payments can be paid in cash or by cheque. Cancellations received with at least 48 hours notice will not incur the full charge.

Contact me

My practice is based in Oldfield Park, Bath. For more information you can contact me in any of the following ways: